Attempted arson at London synagogue is 3rd attack on Jewish site in days

World Attempted arson at London synagogue is 3rd attack on Jewish site in past week: "Sustained campaign of violence" Updated on: April 19, 2026 / 9:00 AM EDT / CBS/AFP Add CBS News on Google An arson attack caused smoke damage at a synagogue in North London overnight, just one day after a similar incident in the city and the third such occurence this week, British officials said Sunday. The fire caused minor smoke damage to a room at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, London, according to the Community Security Trust, which provids safety advice to Jewish groups. No injuries were reported. The Metropolitan Police said its officers noticed damage to the window of the building on Saturday night. Photos from Sunday morning show forensic officers and other law enforcement inspecting the cordoned-off scen. "On further inspection they saw smoke inside a room and evidence that a bottle with some sort of accelerant had been thrown through the window," the department said in a statement.  A police forensic officer works inside a cordon at Kenton United Synagogue in London on April 19, 2026. JUSTIN TALLIS /AFP via Getty Images British chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis wrote on social media that the recent attacks show that a "sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community in the UK is gathering momentum." "Thank God, no lives have been lost, but we cannot, and must not, wait for that to change before we understand just how dangerous this moment is for all of our society," Mirvis wrote. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" by the recent attcks.  "This is abhorrent and it will not be tolerated. Attacks on our Jewish community are attacks on Britain," Starmer said in a post on X. "We will not rest in the pursuit of perpetrators."Counterterrorism police investigate spate of attacks Counterterrorism officers from London's Metropolitan Police are investigating multiple arson or attempted arso...